James Anderson, Director
I founded Resolution Ready after more than 20 years in children’s services, working across safeguarding, early help, children’s rights, education and quality assurance. My career has been shaped by a commitment to fairness, clear thinking and supporting better decisions for children and families.
I have led over 75 statutory Children Act investigations and continue to work nationally as an investigating officer, independent person and panel chair. I also support councils and children’s trusts with audits, service reviews, improvement work and reflective learning sessions, including facilitation through our Thinking Differently approach and certified LEGO Serious Play methods.
My practice draws on the four elements of our theory of change: listening carefully, creating space to reflect, bringing structure to complex issues and supporting people to respond with confidence.
I hold a postgraduate, master’s-level qualification in strategic management and leadership, supported by extensive professional development across complaints, safeguarding and service improvement.
Resolution Ready is growing as a values-led organisation, with plans to become a community interest company or charity focused on improving outcomes for children and families.
Email: james@resolutionready.org.uk
Rowena Barnard, Operations Coordinator
Rowena supports Resolution Ready by keeping our work steady, organised and responsive as we grow. She works with charities and small organisations across the North East and brings strong coordination skills, a calm approach and experience supporting leaders and teams in busy environments.
At Resolution Ready she looks after our enquiries, manages coordination across training, consultancy and project work, and helps keep our systems clear and easy to use. Her focus is on helping the organisation run smoothly so the wider work can stay focused on children, families and the people supporting them.
Rowena lives in the North East with her partner and four children. She loves the coastline, sea swims and time in Whitley Bay, the Ouseburn and local art spaces.
Associate opportunities
What we are looking for
Resolution Ready is growing and we are expanding our pool of people who can support our work. We are particularly interested in individuals with experience in training design and delivery, and in facilitators who can contribute to our Thinking Differently approach. We also work with independent consultants who bring practical insight in areas such as safeguarding, complaints and investigation practice, early help, children’s rights, quality assurance, policy development and wider improvement work.
What you can expect
We want to build a small, trusted team whose skills we can draw on and deploy when needed. Anyone joining us needs to feel comfortable working in a values-led, growing organisation that is working towards becoming a community interest company or charity. We offer competitive associate rates, work nationally and remotely, and deliver most training in person. If this sounds like a good fit and you are interested in future freelance or associate opportunities, we would be happy to hear from you.